BritishFilmandTelevision

Ben Whishaw is new “Q” in James Bond’s Skyfall

“Now pay attention 007…”

He’s back! On what will be the 10th anniversary of his last appearance on the big screen, the man solely responsible for James Bond’s high-tech weapons and gadgets is making his eagerly awaited return in Skyfall. It has been rumored that since rebooting the 007 franchise in 2006 with Casino Royale, Daniel Craig has been bugging the production team to bring back the character who was present in 19 of all the previous 22 films. As a character, Q only appeared briefly in Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels, but comes into his own in the film series and became extreamly popular with fans. The man stepping in to the role as MI6’s head of Q-Branch, now has a lot to live up to as people will fondly remember Llewelyn’s eccentric and well mannered portrayal of the character, who at times gave Bond a harder time than any cat stroking, world dominating lunatic. With 17 movies under his belt, Llewelyn really made the part his own, he sadly passed away in 1999 and was replaced in bond’s 20th adventure, Die Another Day, by comedy legend John Cleese. Although a dignified performance, Cleese was never going to replace the legacy of Q left by Llewelyn and this may have been the reason the character was not included in Casino or Solace. However, come next year (or so we have been told) 31 year old Ben Whishaw will resurrect a young Q, who we expect, like the rebooted series so far, will be a darker and more serious version of the character. Having said that there is nothing known thus far about Whishaw’s version of Q, or how big a role the character will play in the movie. Over the years Q’s appearances varied throughout the film series, at times he appeared only to introduce the latest gadgets you wish you had at home and sometimes he appeared almost as a side-kick to Bond. Either way when the ever eccentric Q appeared on the screen, you knew something exciting and imaginative was about to happen and I for one hope Whishaw’s Q brings that same excitement to Skyfall. 

Empire Magazine have made a list of the top (in their opinion) 100 British Movies of all time… Do you agree? Are they some what fickle in what the class as a “British Film”..? Read and let me know, feel free to comment with opinions. 

Steven Gerrard follows in the footsteps of Eric Cantona as he makes his acting debut starring in Will, out on October the 21st… WHAT?! 

Don’t panic Kop End, this isn’t Gerrard making a shock career change! (Sorry Everton fans) Steven Gerrard makes a cameo as himself in 2011 British movie, Will. The film that is set in 2005 during Liverpool’s European cup winning season, tells the story of a young orphan who travels across Europe to see his beloved team compete in the Champions League final in Istanbul. Written and directed by Ellen Perry (with Zack Anderson, Screenplay) the film starsDamian Lewis, Alice Krige and Brit Cinema legend Bob Hoskins. 

A Personal Note: The Movie also stars Neil Fitzmaurice who is most famously known for starring in, writing and co-creating Peter Kay Phoenix Nights and may also be recognizable from the many characters he’s portrayed in various British TV comedies including villain Jeff from Peep Show. Fitzmaurice has appeared in a film based on Liverpool’s 2005 Champion’s League victory already and starred as their coach, Spaniard Rafa Benitez and I wonder if he will reprise his role for this feature…